The Menengai Caldera in Menengai Forest Station is a large shield volcano located in the Great Rift Valley, 10 km North of Nakuru town with an area of approximately 90 km2, a diameter of 12 km and depth of almost half a kilometre. It is one of the largest calderas in the world and the second most visited caldera in the world.

Menengai Forest Biodiversity

FloraOver 169 species of flowering plants and 17 species of grasses have been recorded in Menengai Forest. These include Leleshwa (Tarconanthus camphorates), Euphorbia species and Acacia species. Common grasses in the forest include geothermal grass (Fibristylis exilis) and Boma Rhode grass.

Getting there:Menengai Caldera is located in Nakuru town, 160 km west of Nairobi city. To get there from Nakuru town, take the road towards Nairobi and turn left after the railway bridge. Turn right 300 meters later onto Milimani road then left after 700 metres onto Menengai road. The main gate is 1.2 km from this last turn off.

Getting around:The forest has a network of driving tracks and walking trails.

Guides:Experienced guides are available at a fee. Enquire about guiding services at the main gate.

Entry fees:Forest conservation fee is charged at the point of entry. For current rates, enquire from the contacts given here.

Visiting hours:Visitors are allowed into the forest from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm unless they have made arrangements to stay overnight.

What to wear and carry:Wear comfortable walking shoes or trainers and loose-fitting lightweight clothing. A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen may come in handy. Carry binoculars and camera.

Important things to remember when visiting Menengai forest:• Be careful as the viewpoint and cliffs are deep and dangerous. • Do not feed wild animals.• Do not start fires in the forest. • Do not take away animals, animal products, plants or plant parts. • Do not mark or deface tree stems, stones and other features. • Avoid noise as it disturbs both wildlife and other visitors. • Do not exceed 40kph when driving in the forest and drive carefully when descending.• Take all the litter that you brought away with you. • Keep to the designated tracks and paths when walking or driving.• To get the most from your visit, use a guide.

For more information contact:

Kenya Forest ServiceKarura, Off Kiambu RoadP.O. Box 30513 – 00100 Nairobi, Kenya.Tel: +254 20 2020285; 2014663 Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.